Resources
BOOKS
Erasing the Finishing Line
by Ana Homayoun
Homayoun’s premise: we can show students how to be the architects of their own futures in a way that focuses on curiosity, community engagement, and belonging. She values skills of organization, planning, prioritization, flexible thinking, and authentic, non-transactional relationship building.
College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School
by Steven Antonoff
Well-regarded guide with worksheets and practical advice.
7 Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities
by Elizabeth C. Hamblet
A primer for educating readers about the college disability services system with the goal of helping students prepare for success at college.
VIDEO
PBS: Tell Me More
The whole episode (25 minutes) is great, but definitely listen to minutes four and five in particular when she discusses mindset and influence of her mom’s attitude on her ability to go to college. Season 6, Episode 9 with Ariana Huffington.
Malcolm Gladwell talk at Google
Funny, engaging speech about why elite institutions make us do irrational things. Gladwell presents evidence in support of choosing to be a top student at a University rather than an average student at an elite University.
PODCASTS
What Does it Take to Make it in America
Kelly Corrigan Wonders podcast
The audio version of the PBS show mentioned
in the VIDEO section.
The Messy Fight Over the SAT
New York Times “The Daily” podcast
For those hungry to learn more about issues surrounding the use of standardized testing in college admissions.
How Do You Make The Most of College?
Kelly Corrigan Wonders podcast
Solid, actionable advice for parents and students as they prepare for college. With Katie Gayman, College Counselor, and Angel Perez, CEO from National Association of College Admission Counseling.
ARTICLES
Affirmative Action is Over: Should Applicants Still Mention Their Race?
New York Times; by Jessica Cheung
The first high school seniors to apply to college since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision are trying to sort through a morass of conflicting guidance.
How to Pay For College
by Ron Lieberby
A conversation on the true cost of tuition in 2023.
Inside the Craziest College-Admissions Season Ever
New York Magazine; by Jeffrey Selingo
Great commentary on the application review process with special emphasis on how a University’s “yield” statistics can drive admissions offers.
WEBSITES
Grown & Flown
This colorful and often humorous commentary on parenting teens, college admissions and coping with transitions.
Start with these articles:
Home (Bitter) Sweet Home: A College Student Perspective
A college student’s perspective on what it is like to return home after being away in college.
How to Say Goodbye When Your Teen Returns to College
A mom’s perspective on the cycles of goodbyes that come with her child going and returning to college.
AI-RELATED RESOURCES
Khanmigo
New York Times; by Jessica Cheung
The Kahn Academy’s software-tempered AI program that has been educated to act as a tutor. Offers personalized guidance on how to proceed with tasks without generating answers. Short list of tasks Khanmigo is set up to help with: Navigate college admissions and financial aid; brainstorm an admissions essay; help me focus; tutor me in math and science; and debate high school topics and beyond.
Subscriptions are $4 a month or $44 a year.
Sal Khan’s TEDx talk on AI
Fascinating talk by the Khan Academy founder about AI technology. He explains power of one-on-one tutoring/mentorship (from Benjamin Bloom’s 1984 study) and underscores his desire to harness AI for the benefit of students everywhere.